Arrangement of rack and corkscrew

ABSTRACT

An arrangement includes a rack and a corkscrew. The rack is configured to be capable of holding plural bottles. The rack includes a holder formed in the rack. The corkscrew has a size and shape to render it detachably attachable to the holder.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to racks for bottles. In particular, the invention relates to racks for wine bottles that have self storage for wine accessories.

2. Description of Related Art

Many different types of wine racks are known. Corkscrews for wine bottles are also known. However, wine has become a popular pastime, and is still becoming even more popular, and this popularity has fueled an ever increasing variety of wine accessories. For example, a portable wine rack may be desired for bringing an assortment of wines to a family picnic. It is also desired to keep the wine accessories, such as a corkscrew, foil cutter and reusable stopper, together with the wine rack.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An arrangement includes a rack and a corkscrew. The rack is configured to be capable of holding plural bottles. The rack includes a holder formed in the rack. The corkscrew has a size and shape to render it detachably attachable to the holder.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The invention will be described in detail in the following description of preferred embodiments with reference to the following figures.

FIG. 1 is a front view of a rack according to the invention.

FIG. 2 is a back view of the rack according to the invention.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the rack according to the invention.

FIG. 4 is an enlargement of a portion of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a detailed view of holder 22 as depicted in FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a view of a corkscrew according to the invention.

FIG. 7 is a view of an aperture formed in the rack depicted in FIG. 2.

FIG. 8 is a view of an alternative aperture formed in the rack depicted in FIG. 2.

FIG. 9 is a view of an assembled rack in a folded configuration.

FIG. 10 is a view of an assembled rack in a mostly folded configuration.

FIG. 11 is a view of an assembled rack in a deployed configuration.

FIG. 12 is a view of an assembled rack in a deployed configuration with bottle.

FIG. 13 is a front view of a rack in a folded configuration.

FIG. 14 is a top view of a rack in a folded configuration revealing hinges among other features.

FIG. 15 is a side view of a rack in a folded configuration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In FIG. 3, a rack 2 includes a back piece 4 and a front piece 6. FIGS. 9-12 depict the rack in various stages of deployment ranging from collapsed for packaging to open for use in storing, for example, wine bottles.

In FIG. 1, back piece 4 includes a back body 10 in which is disposed a caddy 20 and in which is formed an aperture 32 adapted for use as a handle and plural apertures 38 adapted for receiving a corresponding plural bottles, for example, bottles of wine. The back body 10 has a top edge 12 and a bottom edge 14. Feet of resilient material are attached to the bottom edge 14.

The back body 10 has formed therein an aperture for receiving the caddy 20. The caddy 20 has formed therein plural holders. A first holder 22 is adapted for receiving a corkscrew or similar bottle opener. A second holder 24 is adapted for receiving a foil cutter as may be used to cut off the protective foil wrapper formed over corks on traditional wine bottles. A third holder 26 is adapted for receiving an adjustable bottle stopper. In one example, the caddy 20 may be separately formed and press fitted into a corresponding aperture in back body 10. Alternatively, the caddy 20 may be integrally formed with the back body 10 so that the caddy is just a region on a surface of the back body 10. In still another alternative, the caddy 20 may be separately formed and attached to the back body with rivets, screws, adhesive or other similar methods of attachment.

In FIG. 2, front piece 6 includes a front body 40. The front body 40 has a top edge 42 and a bottom edge 44. Feet of resilient material are attached to the bottom edge 44. The front body 40 has formed therein an aperture 52 adapted for use as a handle, and plural apertures 48 adapted for receiving a corresponding plural bottles, for example, bottles of wine. Front body 40 further has a dimple 50 formed therein. Dimple 50 provides a concave region on the side of front body 40 that confronts back body 10 so that a caddy 20, which has a greater depth, can be accommodated in back piece 4 when rack 2 is in a fully collapsed position (see FIGS. 9-10 and 14-15).

The top edges of back body 10 and front body 40 are hinged together by one or more hinges 16 (see FIGS. 3 and 4). Many different types of hinges may be used. For example as depicted in FIGS. 3 and 4, the hinges 16 may be formed of a first hinge part 52 and a second hinge part 54 linked by a hinge pin 56. The first part of the hinge 16 is integrally formed with the back body 10 so as to have a channel for a hinge pin, and the second part of the hinge 16 is integrally formed with the front body 40 so as to have a channel for a hinge pin. The hinge pin is inserted in the channels provided in the first and second hinge parts. Other hinge mechanisms might be used, for example, a piano hinge or a resilient and flexible strip of material might be attached by rivets, screws, adhesive or other similar methods of attachment to the top edge 12 of back body 10 and to the top edge 42 of front body 40. In any case, the top edge 12 of back body 10 is hinged to the top edge 42 of front body 40.

The bottom edges of back body 10 and front body 40 are coupled by extension mechanism 18 (see FIG. 3) that is comprised of hinges 60, 62 and 66 and hinge members 64 (visible in FIG. 2) and 68 (visible in FIG. 1). Many different types of extension mechanisms may be used. For example, as depicted in FIG. 3, extension mechanism 18 includes hinges 60, 62 and 66. Hinge 60 and hinge 62 are linked by member 64. Hinge 62 and hinge 66 are linked by member 68. With extension mechanism 18, the base of rack 2 may be expanded to be fully extended in order to provide stability to rack 2 when used to store bottles (see FIGS. 11 and 12). At other times, the base of rack 2 may be folded so that back piece 4 and front piece 6 are parallel, or nearly parallel, in order to facilitate packing rack 2 into a smaller format, or for easy carriage using handgrip apertures 32 and 52 (see FIGS. 9 and 10). Back piece 4 and front piece 6 are splayed at an angle, depicted in FIG. 3 as ANGLE, defined to have a vertex where the top edges of the front and back pieces are hinged. In the fully extended position of extension mechanism 18, the ANGLE of rack 2 is maximized, and in the folded position of extension mechanism 18, the ANGLE of rack 2 is minimized, possibly to zero or even negative. There are many other extension mechanism that have a fully extended position and a fully folded position that would have equivalent functionality.

In an embodiment of the invention, an arrangement includes a rack 2 (FIG. 3) and a corkscrew 78 (FIG. 6). Rack 2 is configured to be capable of holding plural bottles. Rack 2 includes a first holder 22 (FIG. 1) formed therein. The corkscrew 78 has a size and shape to render it detachably attachable to the first holder 22.

In a first variant of the embodiment, rack 2 includes a back piece 4 having a top edge 12 and a bottom edge 14 and a front piece 6 having a top edge 42 and a bottom edge 44. The top edge of the front piece is hinged to the top edge of the back piece. Rack 2 further includes an extension mechanism 18 coupled between the bottom edge of the back piece and the bottom edge of the front piece.

In an example of the first variant of the embodiment, the extension mechanism is capable of selectively expanding between a first extent and a second extent. Back piece 4 and front piece 6 are splayed at a first splayed angle defined to have a vertex where the top edges of the front and back pieces are hinged when the extension mechanism is expanded to the first extent. Back piece 4 and front piece 6 are splayed at a second splayed angle defined to have a vertex where the top edges of the front and back pieces are hinged when the extension mechanism is expanded to the second extent. The first splayed angle is less than the second splayed angle.

In a second variant of the embodiment, first holder 22 includes a first recess and a first restraint. The first recess is formed in the holder conformal to the size and the shape of the corkscrew 78. The first restraint is capable of holding the corkscrew in the first recess. Such restraint may be spring clips, bolts, etc.

As depicted in FIG. 6, corkscrew 78 has two parts. First part 84, with worm 86 attached can be pulled out of the surrounding second part 88. By flipping the first part 84 in an end-to-end fashion, the first part is again inserted into the second part 88. The second part 88 functions as a torque amplifier to enable an operator to have better control of inserting the worm 86 into the cork of a bottle, for example, a wine bottle.

In an example of the second variant of the embodiment, the first restraint includes flexible resilient tabs 80 (FIG. 5) fixed to a perimeter of the first recess of holder 22. The flexible resilient tabs are sized and positioned within the first recess to permit the corkscrew to be pressed into the first recess manually. The flexible resilient tabs are sized and positioned within the first recess to render the corkscrew held within the first recess with sufficient force to prevent it from falling out of the first recess. The flexible resilient tabs are sized and positioned within the first recess to permit the corkscrew to be manually urged out of the first recess. See FIG. 5 where finger pull areas 82 are reserved within the first recess of holder 22 so that corkscrew 78 does not block access to finger pull areas.

In a third variant of the embodiment, rack 2 includes a back piece 4 and a front piece 6. The front piece has a plurality of apertures 48 formed therein sized to accommodate a corresponding plurality of bottles. The front piece includes restraints 94 (FIG. 7) disposed to protrude into each aperture in the front piece in a way that provides friction between the restraint and a bottle that might be passed through the aperture. The back piece has a plurality of apertures 38 formed therein sized to accommodate a corresponding plurality of bottles. The back piece includes restraints (similar to 94 of FIG. 7) disposed to protrude into each aperture in the back piece in a way that provides friction between the restraint and a bottle that might be passed through the aperture. Each aperture in the front piece corresponds to an aperture in the back piece. Many types of frictional restraints may be used.

In an example of the third variant of the embodiment (see FIG. 7), the restraint in each aperture of the back piece includes plural (in this example 2) round rubbery washers fixed to the back piece and disposed to partially protrude into the aperture. The restraint in each aperture of the front piece also includes plural round rubbery washers fixed to the front piece and disposed to partially protrude into the aperture.

In a fourth variant of the embodiment, the arrangement further includes a foil cutter. The rack includes a second holder 24 formed in the rack. The foil cutter has a size and shape to render it detachably attachable to second holder 24. The means to render the foil cutter detachably attachable to second holder 24 is any one of the means that renders the corkscrew detachably attachable to the first holder 22.

In a fifth variant of the embodiment, the arrangement further includes a reusable bottle stopper. The rack includes another holder 26 formed in the rack. The reusable bottle stopper has a size and shape to render it detachably attachable to holder 26. The means to render the reusable bottle stopper detachably attachable to holder 26 is any one of the means that renders the corkscrew detachably attachable to the first holder 22.

In an example of the fifth variant of the embodiment, the arrangement further includes a foil cutter. The rack includes a third holder 24 formed in the rack. The foil cutter has a size and shape to render it detachably attachable to third holder 24. The means to render the foil cutter detachably attachable to third holder 24 is any one of the means that renders the corkscrew detachably attachable to the first holder 22.

In yet another embodiment of the arrangement that includes the rack and the corkscrew, the rack includes a back piece having a top edge and a bottom edge, a front piece having a top edge and a bottom edge and an extension mechanism. The top edge of the front piece is hinged to the top edge of the back piece. The extension mechanism is coupled between the bottom edge of the front piece and the bottom edge of the back piece.

In a first variant of this embodiment, the front and back pieces are formed of stainless steel, polished brass, bright plated steel (e.g., chrome plated steel) or equivalent. A caddy 20 (see FIG. 1), formed of a resilient material such as, but not limited to, rubber, is press fitted into an aperture in the back piece to be firmly held in the aperture.

A first holder 22 (FIG. 1) is formed in caddy 20. The corkscrew has a size and shape to render it detachably attachable to the first holder. A first recess 22 formed in the caddy conformal to the size and the shape of the corkscrew so that the resilient material of the caddy 20 makes the corkscrew attachable to the caddy 20 with modest urging and equally detachable from the caddy with modest pulling. Such resilient fit and friction form a restraint capable of holding the corkscrew in first recess 22.

In a second variant of this embodiment, the back piece has plural apertures formed therein sized to accommodate a corresponding number of bottles. In this variant, the back piece includes a restraint 98 (see FIG. 8) disposed to protrude into each aperture in the back piece in a way that provides friction between the restraint and a bottle that might be passed through the aperture. Similarly, the front piece has plural apertures formed therein sized to accommodate a corresponding number of bottles, and each aperture in the front piece also includes a restraint 98 disposed to protrude into each aperture in the front piece in a way that provides friction between the restraint and a bottle that might be passed through the aperture. In this variant, restraint 98 is a resilient channel shaped member adhered to or snapped on lower side of the apertures in the front and back pieces. For example, a properly sized rubber channel may be snapped over the metal front and back pieces in such a way to cover at least the lower portion of the aperture. In fact, the rubber channel could be made as a ring that extends around the circumference of the aperture. In another example, a flexible resilient channel may be fixed to the metal front and back pieces by application of an adhesive. Alternatively, a material in liquid form, that can be cured to become the resilient material that forms restraint 98, may be painted, screened, sprayed, etc. onto the metal front and back pieces and cured, for example, RTV (room temperature vulcanizing) rubber may be applied in liquid form.

FIGS. 13, 14 and 15 depict the rack in folded configuration from a front view, a top view and a side view, respectively.

Having described preferred embodiments of a novel arrangement of a rack and a corkscrew (which are intended to be illustrative and not limiting), it is noted that modifications and variations can be made in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that changes may be made in the particular embodiments of the invention disclosed which are within the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Having thus described the invention with the details and particularity required by the patent laws, what is claimed and desired protected by Letters Patent is set forth in the appended claims. 

1. An arrangement comprising a rack and a corkscrew, wherein: the rack is configured to be capable of holding plural bottles; the rack includes a first holder formed therein; and the corkscrew has a size and shape to render it detachably attachable to the first holder.
 2. An arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the rack includes: a back piece having a top edge and a bottom edge; a front piece having a top edge and a bottom edge; the top edge of the front piece being hinged to the top edge of the back piece; and an extension mechanism coupled between the bottom edge of the back piece and the bottom edge of the front piece.
 3. An arrangement according to claim 2, wherein: the extension mechanism is capable of selectively expanding between a first extent and a second extent; the front piece and back piece are splayed at a first splayed angle defined to have a vertex where the top edges of the front and back pieces are hinged when the extension mechanism is expanded to the first extent; the front piece and back piece are splayed at a second splayed angle defined to have a vertex where the top edges of the front and back pieces are hinged when the extension mechanism is expanded to the second extent; and the first splayed angle is less than the second splayed angle.
 4. An arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the first holder includes: a first recess formed therein conformal to the size and the shape of the corkscrew; and a first restraint capable of holding the corkscrew in the first recess.
 5. An arrangement according to claim 4, wherein: the first restrain includes flexible resilient tabs fixed to a perimeter of the first recess; and the flexible resilient tabs are sized and positioned within the first recess to permit the corkscrew to be pressed into the first recess manually, to render the corkscrew held within the first recess with sufficient force to prevent it from falling out of the first recess, and to permit the corkscrew to be manually urged out of the first recess.
 6. An arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the rack includes: a back piece has a plurality of apertures formed therein sized to accommodate a corresponding plurality of bottles; the back piece includes a restraint disposed to protrude into each aperture in the back piece in a way that provides friction between the restraint and a bottle that might be passed through the aperture; a front piece having a plurality of apertures formed therein sized to accommodate a corresponding plurality of bottles, each aperture in the front piece corresponding to an aperture in the back piece; and the front piece includes a restraint disposed to protrude into each aperture in the front piece in a way that provides friction between the restraint and a bottle that might be passed through the aperture.
 7. An arrangement according to claim 6, wherein: the restraint in each aperture of the front piece includes plural round rubbery washers fixed to the front piece and disposed to partially protrude into the aperture; and the restraint in each aperture of the back piece includes plural round rubbery washers fixed to the back piece and disposed to partially protrude into the aperture.
 8. An arrangement according to claim 1, further including a foil cutter, wherein: the rack includes a second holder formed therein; and the foil cutter has a size and shape to render it detachably attachable to the second holder.
 9. An arrangement according to claim 1, further including a reusable bottle stopper, wherein: the rack includes a second holder formed therein; and the reusable bottle stopper has a size and shape to render it detachably attachable to the second holder.
 10. An arrangement according to claim 9, further including a foil cutter, wherein: the rack includes a third holder formed therein; and the foil cutter has a size and shape to render it detachably attachable to the third holder. 